World's largest Barbie exhibition in Montréal
This article was updated on November 23, 2023.
One of the best-loved dolls of all time now has her own exhibition at Les Cours Mont-Royal in downtown Montréal: Barbie Expo is the largest permanent exhibition of Barbie dolls in the world, and features more than 500 Barbies, including Hollywood stars, unique one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls and glamourous outfits created by famous fashion designers.
It’s a Barbie world
Admission is free to Barbie Expo which features Barbie dolls dressed by such world-renowned designers as Christian Dior, Vera Wang, and Diane von Fürstenberg. Legendary show business designer Bob Mackie has also dressed some 30 Barbie dolls on display at Barbie Expo.
“Since the first model released in 1959, Barbie has always kept up with the trends and her never-ending wardrobe is full of every style from classic silhouettes to quick come-and-go fads,” says Valerie Law, Vice-President of Marketing and Communications for Les Cours Mont Royal. “If you look back at Barbie throughout the years, you will be able to see decades of the biggest trends styled in miniature proportions.”
There are also entertainment industry Barbies, including Beyoncé, Cyndi Lauper, Elvis, Grace Kelly, Lucille Ball and Cher dressed in her classic “If I Could Turn Back Time” outfit. Custom-made, one-of-a kind Barbie dolls include Kate Middleton, Marie Antoinette and Coco Chanel. There is also a fashion-show display complete with photographers (with flashing camera bulbs!) and models on a moving runway.
Celebrating diversity
Barbie Expo also celebrates diversity and features dolls of all sizes and skin colours. Says Law, “A lot of the dolls were donated by collectors and designers from around the world.”
Law adds, “The haute-couture Barbie Expo is about fashion embodied by Barbie and Montréal is a fashion-forward city. Since Les Cours Mont-Royal is located in the heart of downtown Montréal, and is the city’s most prestigious shopping centre – offering designer brands, unique European fashions and exclusive boutiques – having Barbie Expo at our location is a perfect fit.”
Practical information
Barbie Expo is open daily. Free admission.
Richard Burnett
Richard “Bugs” Burnett is a Canadian freelance writer, editor, journalist, blogger and columnist for alt-weeklies, mainstream and LGBTQ+ publications. Bugs also knows Montréal like a drag queen knows a cosmetics counter.